NEW DELHI: Russia is all set to vote on March 15-17 for their next President. As per reports, the polls will be open for three days starting from Friday to Sunday. The Presidential elections will be held online for the first time.
The much anticipated polls holds a vital position not only for Russia but for the world as well.
What does the means to Putin
Vladimir Putin who is certain for his 5th term, if chosen, will be the longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin and will rule for another six years, till 2036.
Ahead of the polls President Putin has appealed to Russians to take part in the polls and exercise their right to vote.
“It is necessary to confirm our unity and determination to move forward together. Each of your votes is valuable and significant. Therefore, I urge you to exercise your right to vote in the next three days. He said polling stations will be open in every city, town and village, reminding Russians that they are one family.” Putin said in a recorded video message, Tass news agency reported.
He further added, “Dear friends! All of us, the multinational people of Russia, are one big family. We will do everything exactly the way we want. Therefore, I ask you to come to the elections and express your civic and patriotic position, vote for your chosen candidate, for the successful future of our beloved Russia.”
Who are other candidates?
Nikolaĭ Kharitonov, aged 75, is an old member of Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, serves as the official candidate for the Communist Party. The party’s candidates have consistently placed a distant second to Putin in every election since 2000. Hailing from Siberia, Kharitonov previously ran in 2004, garnering 13.8 percent of the vote compared to Putin’s 71.91 percent.
Leonid Slutsky, aged 56, holds a prominent position in the State Duma and leads the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR). He assumed leadership of the party following the passing of its veteran leader, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, in 2022.
Vladislav Davankov, aged 40, serves as the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma and represents the New People political party, established in 2020 with support from his businessman father. Davankov, the youngest registered candidate, has received several state awards, including one from Putin himself.
Russian occupied Ukraine region to vote in Presidential elections
As per reports, the voting is scheduled to occur in the 27 Russian regions as well as Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine a decade ago. Additionally, the vote will take place in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—regions annexed after the full-scale invasion in 2022.
However, Kyiv and Western countries have criticized the decision to hold the vote in these areas. Early voting has already commenced in certain regions and will be gradually implemented in others.
Ukraine calls Russia’s election on occupied territories null and void
Ukrainian foreign ministry called voting for Russia’s presidential election that is also being held in Ukraine’s occupied territories illegal and void and called on its international partners not to recognise the results.
In its statement, the ministry said the electoral campaign on Russia-occupied territories showed Moscow demonstrated “continued flagrant disregard for international law norms and principles”.
The much anticipated polls holds a vital position not only for Russia but for the world as well.
What does the means to Putin
Vladimir Putin who is certain for his 5th term, if chosen, will be the longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin and will rule for another six years, till 2036.
Ahead of the polls President Putin has appealed to Russians to take part in the polls and exercise their right to vote.
“It is necessary to confirm our unity and determination to move forward together. Each of your votes is valuable and significant. Therefore, I urge you to exercise your right to vote in the next three days. He said polling stations will be open in every city, town and village, reminding Russians that they are one family.” Putin said in a recorded video message, Tass news agency reported.
He further added, “Dear friends! All of us, the multinational people of Russia, are one big family. We will do everything exactly the way we want. Therefore, I ask you to come to the elections and express your civic and patriotic position, vote for your chosen candidate, for the successful future of our beloved Russia.”
Who are other candidates?
Nikolaĭ Kharitonov, aged 75, is an old member of Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, serves as the official candidate for the Communist Party. The party’s candidates have consistently placed a distant second to Putin in every election since 2000. Hailing from Siberia, Kharitonov previously ran in 2004, garnering 13.8 percent of the vote compared to Putin’s 71.91 percent.
Leonid Slutsky, aged 56, holds a prominent position in the State Duma and leads the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR). He assumed leadership of the party following the passing of its veteran leader, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, in 2022.
Vladislav Davankov, aged 40, serves as the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma and represents the New People political party, established in 2020 with support from his businessman father. Davankov, the youngest registered candidate, has received several state awards, including one from Putin himself.
Russian occupied Ukraine region to vote in Presidential elections
As per reports, the voting is scheduled to occur in the 27 Russian regions as well as Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine a decade ago. Additionally, the vote will take place in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—regions annexed after the full-scale invasion in 2022.
However, Kyiv and Western countries have criticized the decision to hold the vote in these areas. Early voting has already commenced in certain regions and will be gradually implemented in others.
Ukraine calls Russia’s election on occupied territories null and void
Ukrainian foreign ministry called voting for Russia’s presidential election that is also being held in Ukraine’s occupied territories illegal and void and called on its international partners not to recognise the results.
In its statement, the ministry said the electoral campaign on Russia-occupied territories showed Moscow demonstrated “continued flagrant disregard for international law norms and principles”.